Gettysburg

I'm posting this day in reverse.  So, before we went to the firefighter memorial, we visited the Gettysburg Battlefield.  Matt and I both read Killer Angels this year and so I enjoyed our trip much more than the last time we went.  It has been awhile (since Nate was a baby and we went with Nana and Missy)  and now there is a wonderful new museum to explore.   The park ranger was especially nice and let us in for free--maybe for the holiday???--and the boys enjoyed the movies and computer screens to touch.  It was very cold and windy but that didn't stop them from having fun and reenacting battle scenes.  

Skidmore's Charge

The battle was fierce.

The view from the South's position with Big Round Top in the background.

From the rocks on Little Round Top.

Virginia's Memorial and my little soldiers.  Aren't stick guns the best.

Sittin' on the giant boulders the men would have fought from.  

38

Matt made it another year.  I like to tease him about being older than me, but really he just gets better each year.  He is a very dedicated father and I love that.   The boys adore him and can't get enough of him.  They love his little boy stories at night and they love playing catch, wrestling, hiking, reading, basketball, talking and even working with him.  I sometimes feel like I have to fight for attention, but that shows how much they love him and he loves them.   Matt is a good example to me and makes me try harder to be a better person.  He is patient and mild and good at seeing things clearly and helping me untangle my thoughts.  At least one of us is that way!  He like to try new things and explore and be outside.  I'm sure our family will have a lot of adventures in the future.  I'm glad he'll be in the lead!

We had a giant box of Fruity Pebbles for breakfast--how fancy!

Nate made him close his eyes and the others got in the box and then jumped out when he opened it.  They thought they were pretty sneaky.  

New Treat

I made ebelskivers this morning for breakfast.  They are so fun.  I couldn't find my mom's recipe so I did a quick search for a recipe and found a cheater recipe from Rachel Ray.  This was easy and fast so I'll keep it around, but my mom's is better and not made with Bisquick.  The process takes a while, so before everyone came in to eat I played with my new treat.  I got a 5D last week.  It is not the new version, but I'm still super excited.  The depth of field is awesome and I actually have a wide angle lens now!  

So, if you have an ebelskiver pan, whip up some of these.  We tried putting blueberries in the middle, marshmallows (not so great), and the favorite, leftover Mrs.  Millman's Chocolate Frosting from Matt's birthday cupcakes.

2 cups pancake mix

1 1/2 cups milk

2 eggs

Melted butter for pan and fillings of your choice.

Giant Firemen

On President's Day we went on a day trip to PA.   Our last stop was to find these statues that my grandpa did the engineering for.  They are in Emmitsburg MD and I thought that because it was a small town we would be able to find them easily.  Well, it wasn't as easy as I thought and so after we drove through the whole town we drove by a gated compound that said FEMA.  Then on a tiny plaque it said something about a firefighters memorial.  We went through the gate to the security guard and asked him if he knew where three giant firemen were.  So, we found it and they only had to take our IDs, frisk us and sniff the car with their dogs.  Just kidding, they only took our licenses.  Once we got to the memorial it was neat.  It is to recognize the firefighters who died in the 9/11 attacks, and they really are huge.  So, good job grandpa, they are still standing tall.

Inauguration

Last month we had a fun visit from some of the Wrights. They had tickets to the inauguration and so they came to stay for a couple of nights. The boys enjoyed playing Mario Cart and foosball, and they love it anytime people talk to them and shower them with attention.
DC was very cold that day! Matt was able to go with them and I was glad I could enjoy it from inside a warm home.

They may hate me for posting this but I think it is funny.  Apparently, people were crashed out all over the Senate building after enduring the cold and standing for hours.  They got some good brownies and cookies out of it too.

What good sports and ping-pong players Dalton and Ashley were.

We had fun staying up and talking and going out to eat.  Thanks SO much for the hot chocolate.  Please come anytime.

Feed the Birds

The weather has been so nice here lately, that we wanted to get out and do something.  Last Saturday we packed a lunch and went to a nearby park.  It was a beautiful wintry scene (without snow of course) with the frozen lake and seagulls perched all over.  We brought along some wheat bread that I made to feed the birds.  I'm looking for a better recipe than that one.  I couldn't eat it, but the birds loved it so I guess it all worked out.  I love watching my boys explore, imagine, laugh, play, interact and be happy, so it was a perfect afternoon.

The always present multi-tool.  Just in case you have to whittle.

The Harrison

My boys finally got to partake in the Skidmore duck club legacy.

Isn't Sam cute pulling the boat?

Derby Time

We finished another Pinewood Derby. The boys--Matt included--get so excited about making their cars and racing. This year Nate took 3rd and Spencer took 6th place. They are good sports. I think they had the most fun afterwards racing each other's car and running along the track--they can't do that in the real race.

Nate's Birthday

WOW! We have an eleven year old. Nate got to have a friend party this year and he chose to have it at Laser Quest. The boys were excited and hyper waiting for their turn and I think they had a lot of fun. They played two games and then we had a party room and ate pizza and cake and opened presents. All his friends (friend's parents) are so generous. I loved watching him interact with his friends. He was being silly and he looked happy. Most of the time the boys don't get together with friends, I guess because we get busy and there is not much time between school and dinner/homework time. They really are each other's best friends and I love that, but it was nice to see Nate with his school friends.

Nate is a fantastic kid. He is imaginative, friendly, kind, patient, obedient, and he has a fun sense of humor. I expect a lot from him, too much usually, and he bears it pretty well. We love having him in our family and can't imagine a better older brother.

The equipment was too heavy for Sam so the first game Matt wore his vest and Sam shot the laser gun, and the second game Sam dragged me around.  Twenty minutes never felt so long.

I went in to take pictures.  I didn't use a flash so you can't see any people in them, but I thought some of them turned out kinda cool.